Photo: RevelationDirect · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Felton than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Felton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (27%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Felton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Felton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Felton, and Felton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 27% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Felton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $332K a year in losses across Felton: $170K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Felton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Felton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Felton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kent County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Felton
Disasters that paid out in Felton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Felton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel9 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
Kent County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Felton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Felton archive →Get ready for what Felton faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Felton
Is Felton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Felton has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (27%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Felton in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Kent County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Felton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Felton’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Felton?
By FEMA money that reached Felton, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 9 households applied for aid, $12K approved.
Is Felton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Felton’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Felton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Felton’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.